Globalización, interculturalidad, religión y democracia

Abstract

Present globalization is causing an independence of economic power relative to nation state control. Market globalization is further increasing the divide between those groups and countries of the world becoming wealthier and those getting poorer. This financialhegemony is an attack on democracy and a political system based on liberty and justice. Such economic globalization is similarly imposing an intellectual and behavioural uniformity in our consumer, prosperity-driven society that is de-personalising both individuals and groups. The identity crisis that this implies is producing, as a response, the revival of “differences”, of cultural heritage, of “patriotism chic”. But a serious problem arises when these socio-cultural phenomena are converted into legitimate weapons by those who suffer from politico-economic exclusion in order to condemn and oppose those who exclude them. This explains the phenomena of traditionalism and religious fundamentalism, and the more lethal one of terrorism. Face with this, only intercultural, and in particular inter-religious, dialogue can create a humanizing opportunity for us to discover that which unites us, beyond our differences, and which will, through diverse routes and alternatives, further promote the cause of humanity.